Dear Sister Mary

Your very welcome and long looked for letter was gratefully received this morning. You probably have received Mother’s letter by this time giving an account of her journey and sickness. I am with her today and every day when the weather and walking will permit. Mother is at present sitting up in bed trying to sew a little. The sore on her back is not like the one she had on her neck. At present the hole on her back is about the size of a half dollar; but all around the Dr. can put a prob. more than half a finger under the flesh. I shall be thankful if it does not injure her spine. The Dr. says he never had so bad a case of the same description. He washed it out this morning with suds made with castile soap, then injected Castic into it, and will go through with the same prosses every morning. Sammy has been her nurse, cook, and maid of all work. had it not been for bringing you away from Frank I would have written for you to come home immediately after she came. I would have done it under almost any other circumstance. I did not see her until a week after she came home.

Sarah went to live with her sister the day before and I was alone for two weeks, besides Mary still coughed very hard and the roads were almost impassable. Mother said this morning “tell Mary to stay as long with Frank as she can, but I do want to see little Frankie” of course she dont care to see you. I expect to see a great boy, when you return. I looked for his dress that I gave him to wake it, but could not find it. I told Mother that I wanted to buy some of your small linen “Dipa” as Baby says, if you would take your pay in sewing or some such work. She thought you would be glad to make the exchange so I have cut out a chimise and am at work on that. I took one of the curtains you had cut off. If you do not come home at present and have anything in particular that you want me to do, let me know “[immajently?].” The Pipes are for a very particular friend of mine. Little Mary’s cough is almost well. She had it very hard, would whoop so that you could hear her from our room in the kitchen, when all the doors were closed, her face would turn purple and would strangle so that at times I would have to put my finger in her throat and blow in her face to make her catch her breath, I feel very thankful that she is so well. She runs all over and can say a good many words, she says, “Autie” for Auntie “How do a,” how do you do, “Tattoo”, thank you, “Pe” please, “A-a-a Papa” where is papa, &c, ask her who made the moon, she saws “Gawky.”

Leander left home two weeks ago last Monday for Bureau Co, he went from that place to La Grange Ohio, I received a letter from him yesterday, he was well, had spent the most of a day with Brother Thomas in Cleveland, found him at work on one of the propellars, left him quite well, Mother received a letter from F. one day this week, with $15, enclosed. He expects to commence to sail very soon,—-As for town news I know of but little, have been at church but twice since small pox season. I commenced going, then Mary coughed so hard that I did not leave her at all for 6 or 8 weeks, and since Mother came home I feel it my duty to spend any Sabbaths with her, Last Saturday Mrs. H. Norton buried a babe, A great many children are sick with lung fever and inflamation on the lungs. Albert Babcock still lingers, I never saw such a living skeleton, he has 10 or 15 running sores, on his body, his parents gave him up some time ago, Mrs. Strevell is convalescent, the spot that was on her right eye has gathered and broken so that the pain is much less, The Remick girls have gone to Evanston to school. L. Russell is going as soon as her Father comes home; he has gone after Jerome, he is not expected to live, and in all probabity was not alive when his father reached him

Mother wants you to be sure and remember her to Dr. Moore and wife, and also that she will send the indigo that she promised the first opportunity. She thinks Mrs. Cotton might have sent you the letter and what she sent you before this time, she has written to you several times since she came home and has received no answer to any of them, therefore is very anxious to hear from you I must close for I do not know as you will be able to read half of what I have already written, I writ poorly at best but when I am writing on a book in my lap it is worser, tell Frank that I will answer his letter very soon, I ought to have written to him first. Give him my next best love. Kiss little Frankie for me and write very soon. I must go and make a boiled custard for Mother, before I go home. Accept much love from your Aff. Sisters [Maggie & Hetty?]

I had a few lines from Johnie last week, he was enjoying good health, and was in excellent spirits. Robert is coming from Decatur next week, is going on to see Sarah in Chicago. Anna health is so far improved that she is in the schol room again.

MCM

Mother send much love to both F and you also a kiss for Frankie

My Dear Mary

I wrote you a letter and sent it with Mrs. Cotton and have not received an answer yet. I have been expecting a letter all of this week from you but none has come and I did not know but something was wrong with some of you. I could not send any thing with Mrs. Cotton only a small package I presume you will feel uneasy to hear how I get along, I am getting along very well. Sammy has not gone any to school since I came home. Maggie comes down most evry day now since they have got a girl. Sarah left them about the time I came home and they have Martha Hill now.

Sis Hughes was in here this morning Abbey and Lidy are going to Evanston to school. She said that Mrs. Gaff, had a letter from Mr. Gaff yesterday and he said that Mr. Culver was going to resign, is it possible that the news is not to good to be true. If you are going to stay much longer I will try and send a dress for you with Mr. Gagan. Mrs. Strevell’s eyes are very sore she hurt them by working to soon, she worked Mr. Strevell a pare of slippers and it strained her eyes. Mary guess who is married. I dont believe you could so I will tell you Miss Ann Dodwell and “Jim” Shepered. (I say much joy to the couple, Sam.) Maggie is going to write to Mr. Culver in a few day’s and little Mary has allmost recovered from the whooping cough. Jeroam Russell is not expected to live, his Father went down to see if he could fetch him home, [Sura?] was going to school with the Remmick girls, but as her father went after Jeroam she can not go untill she comes back. Leander has gone to Ohio on business and he intends to go and see Fam. before he comes back.

I feel much better now but I can not sit up much if any yet. I have sore on my back, and it runs most all the time. Do not be uneasy on my account for I have evry cumfort that I could think of, what a blessing it was that I left the time I did. I can sit up a little in the bed and sew some. I have pieced little Frankie a little quilt. Oh! Mary how I do want to hear from you I have an excuse for Frank, but I have not any for you he has so much to do but you might as well write as not. If Frank does not come home soon I want you to stay with him, as long as you can. Remember me to Frank and kiss Frankie for me, and I hope, I shall soon see him and may God Blessing rest upon you is my earnest prayer.

I am as ever, your aff. Mother,

Nancy Murphy

Box 105.
Pontiac
Ill

My Dear Children

When I left you, I little thought that I would be under the hand of disease so long; before I left you I did not feel well for several days although I said nothing, you probably have received Sammys last by this time.

I had a prosperous journey, but had to stop often and long, I was 6 hours in Indianappolis and was afraid I would, not reach Chicago that week, but fortunately did arive at 10 oclock 40 min Saturday night. When I paid my fair in Chicago to Pontiac I had just $7, out of $20, I did not get for half price any of the way, when I should have paid $5, I had to pay $6, and $8,50 instead of $3, what I had left I gave to Sammy to pay taxes, I went in the street car to Mrs T. Holmes, they were in bed, but T. rose and let me in I went to Sarah’s room and found her very sick with the jaundice Thomas had just recovered from the same disease, they saw our names in it Brigs house and were very sorry that we did not come directly there, I told her (M. Ann) the reason she said the children had the whooping cough, two years ago. Sarah hopes to see you when you return, she and Mary are making preparations to go to N.H. in May.

Mary when you come home be sure and start early in the week, because you may have to wait at each station a good while; if you stop in Layfayette you had better pay your fair to that place then you can come home any direction you please, but I think the best way is by Chicago. Mrs. Cotton expects to start tomorrow, I cannot send what I want to with either she or Mr. Cropsy I got a peck of russets to send you but I can only send a few with the hand kerchief and tobacco. Sammy is going to write to Frank, about renting the house, so I will say nothing about it.

Dr Capron has been here since this letter was commenced, and says that my hips are going to be as my neck was, I did not discover the swelling until today when Maggie was rubing them for me, I have not told you how I am affected when I came home I had a very severe pain in my back, then it went to my left limb, the gathering is at the lower end of my back bone on both hips.

Kiss little Frankie for and may heavens richest blessings rest on you all is my earnest prayer.

Your Aff Mother
N. Murphy

Dearest Husband

It is so cold today we can hardly keep warm I wonder if you have as changeable weather in Dixie I have spent the Sabbath as usual There were a great many out to Sabbath School this morning Abbie & Lide have come again & joined the bible class My class numbers but four now I learned much to my surprise today that Josephine Murphy & her little sister has the small pox they do not think the little one will live Josephine is not so bad I believe she took it of Mr. Maples children I hardly know what to do it seems to me I ought to go & see her if I had no babe I would not hesitate a moment & if she should die I shall regret it always that I did not go I hope you will answer her letter immediately. Is it not most time for the S. School to have another letter? I think so.

Monday Eve.

Dear Frank I am shivering over the fire trying to keep warm while writing to you It is extremely cold I’m afraid the poor rebel prisoners are suffering beyond any thing we know of I was much disappointed today when no letter came from you God grant that your health may continue to improve if I only was certain that it was so Mr Cox came to see me today about the House Insurance I am to send $1,75 to the Company tomorrow I called on Herrington this afternoon but could give him no help on that business I have looked your papers almost entirely over & can find but one letter from Heckman that does not throw much light on the subject he says we’ll wait until he gets home & then settle it The rumor is afloat here today that F Streamer & others have disappeared some say deserted & joined the rebel army I hope it is not so.

Tuesday Eve

No letter today dear Frank. I was so certain I should have one If I dont hear by tomorrow I shall fear greatly that you are too sick to write Letters came last night & today for others but none for me Can it be your duty to stay my dear husband when you are sick so much If my fears are confirmed I must start for Mitchellsville I can get through I know I can and oh it makes my heart ache so to think that perhaps you are very ill & no wife near to administer to your comforts & relieve your wants

May God bless you abundantly.

Wednesday Eve Feb 4th

Dear Frank Mother has just come from meeting & tells me that Mr. Loomis leaves tonight I hasten to add a few lines to that already written & send by him no letter today Will you promise me that if you are now or ever too ill to write that you will send for me immediately Frankie is pretty well he coughs yet thought not much Mary Utley is sick we do not know what is the matter as it has been so cold we could not go up to see her Sammy had a letter from Johnnie Saturday eve but we have not heard from him since The fates seem to be against me I get letters from nobody Our folks send love In haste I must close With much love I subscribe myself your loving wife

M M Culver

Dearest Husband

I seat myself by the stand at 7 o’clock this evening to have a good long chat with you If I knew that you were well I would set about it in better spirits but I hope for the best of it were not for hope “Blessed boon to mortals” how could we live Our baby is about as usual he coughs as usual but does not mind it much none of our family have had any letter from Jonnie yet though there have several come to town I feel quite certain he has written to some of us I have very little faith in the regularity of the mails & make all due allowance for miscarriages It is a long time since I have heard from any of our Carlisle friends. Do you hear frequently?

Mrs. Scott (Mrs. Johnston sister) has just returned from Nashvill where she has been with a son who was wounded at Murfreesboro He is Lieut. Colonel of “the glorious nineteenth” which won somany laurels in that battle He is now the youngest Col. in the U.S. army 24 yrs. of age The youngest was killed at Murfreesboro I believe was but 20 yrs old Do not wish to “share the glories” dear Frank They are bought at a fearful price We have had a beautiful day almost warm enough to do away with fires I presume the frost is nearly all out of the ground again this will make the third time this winter Every thing is right over to the house Sammy attended to the [lathe?] & says the kitchen is secure Mr. Foote put in the window glass before I moved The sweet potatoes did not amount to much there were a good many of the hills which had three or four potatoes in them Through kindness of Mr. Remick I have obtained the amount of taxes due on those lots you mentioned The amount due on the NW 1/4 of Block 74 is $7.18 your personal tax $1.66 Charles Zugs $10.78 You wished a list of the tracts assigned to Charles Zug. I will copy what you have in your memorandum book assigned to Charles W Zug. 80 S 1/4 SE 27-28-5 $5.85 The town collector is James. G. Albe, & the Legislature has not changed the time of the payment of taxes I believe because they take Government notes in payment I have not seen Mr. Harrington yet to make any inquiries relative to those receipts of W Hickman but have looked nearly through my letter of yours in my possession there was nothing of the kind in your copying press if you referred to one nearly new in your letter drawer of the bookcase I have looked over all your receipts & have not found anything of the kind among them In one of your bundle of letters I found one which was signed by him but there was no acknowledgement of anthing you had done for him or receipt either. I will however take it to Herrington the first opportunity & if it does not answer continue my search though I am nearly through now I hope you will have no trouble about it I suppose Mrs. Smith & husband are very happy by this time I feel very anxious to hear from some of you Is she the only woman in Camp at Mitchellsville Please write & tell me how she is situated & all about it Loomis has circulated the report here that you will come home in the Spring or at least little Henry told me he thought you would come because you were “home sick” I have not heard it from any one else perhaps he only told Henry or maybe he dreampt it Sammy has just come in with a letter from Jonnie to himself he is still at Louisville but rather thinks they will go to Vicksburg They expect warm work there soon He says he sent your boots with Mrs. Smith You dont know how our baby begins to notice Emma Mae, come over the other night & he was so much afraid of her would cry whenever he would look at her He was afraid of Sis too today I cant complain now of his gravity for he laughs a great deal Your picture hangs on the East side of the room & he notices it a great deal & seems delighted when he can get close to it to look at it I think he would not be afraid of strangers if he saw any more than he does there has been noone but our folks here for so long that he does not know what to make of a new face Sis seems to like going to school very much & I guess gets along well Mrs Boyles is teaching until Miss Alden comes in the spring Abbie & Lida are going to a boarding school when the Spring term commences They dont know where, yet, they have in view Aurora Evanston & Bloomington

Mr. Maples youngest child has the varioloid If there are any in the regiment who have not been vaccinated would it not be well to have it done immediately I feel glad that you have had it Charley Strevell has had the diptheria but is getting better fast Allie Babcock still lingers although very low Have I answered all your questions if not jog my memory the next time you write Leander has got back from Chicago he saw Beattie & says he could have got that money if he had had the note I thought you gave him the note I did not see him but a minute Beattie has another son they are living in fine style in Michigan Avenue keep 3 servants &c Flemming has purchased his residance on the bank of the river I hear I must close now I have other writing to do tonight How long must I write thus? May God bless you dear Frank Hoping to see you eventually I remain

Yours as ever
M. M. Culver

PS How many letters have you had from me since you enlisted I counted 89 of yours tonight

My Dear Husband

I could not write any last night baby was so wide awake Our “Christmas Tree” passed off very pleasantly the other evening The tree was placed inside the railing in the court room It was not an evergreen & looked odd enough but it satisfied the children The band gave us some of their best music They have three additions since you left Tailor Jones Sammy Greenebaum & John Lewis the latter uses the cymbals The room was crowded although the night was very unpropitious The children sang, Mr. Ketchum made a speech, had refreshments of apples cake candy & nuts a bountiful supply & then the gifts were distributed & you can imagine how little hearts beat & eyes sparkled I know it would have done your heart good to have seen them

W T Russel had a big white cotton flannel rabbit given him which created no little amusement Henry G, something black which I think was a little “nigger baby” though I caught only a glimpse of it Mrs. Maple, put on a rattle box for Mr. McLeary but we thought it was too bad & took it off the tree & sent it to his wife by Mrs. Ryan Mr. Strevel got his dressing gown but I did not get Mrs. Fishers slippers solid in time for the Tree. I will give them to him next Monday Frankie received a pair of mittens & I a blue silk hair net Right in the midst of it all came your letters by the hand of Mr Loomis which I valued most.

Sunday Eve. Jan. 25

Dear Frank since I last wrote here I have been sick but feel better now Dr did not say what was the matter I had sore throat, fever, loss of appetite &c. My throat feels very sore yet but we hope it will not last long I had a letter from Sarah Williams last week She is better than she has been for a long time & attributes it to strong beer Dr. Capron advised me to dring beer or ale I am afraid we shall all become tapers I also had a letter from brother Tomas with his photograph it is very good one he inquires very minutely in to my financial affairs & reiterates his wish to relieve me if at all embarassed. I learned greatly to my surprise yesterday that Mrs. Smith had started for Mitchellsville I supposed she had given it up entirely I was sorry not to see her before she left I received your letters of the 18 & 20 yesterday I will answer the first tomorrow & the second as soon as I am able to go out I hope to hear from you very soon Frankie still hoops & coughs a good deal little May also has the hooping cough

God bless you my husband

As ever your aff. wife
M.M. Culver

over

Mr. Taylor wrote to you some time ago & wants to know if you ever rec’d it Is there a man by the name of Dawson in Com. G. Father wants to know Mother received your letter also Maggie Our cow which Mr. Custer bought I suppose is dead now, they thought she would die saturday She got hurt somway They never have paid me but $12, Should they be willing to pay the remaining six.

Much obliged for your good opinion of the officers of the M.E.S.S. You must rememember that none of us have the energy perseverance or tact which many have & which is necessary for the welfare of any Sabbath school I told Charley the other evening that he was too bad to desert us now he said that was not his intention he is simply acting as secretary for Mr. Strevel until after the S.S. Christmas festival

Mrs. Deharmandy Mrs Royce & two children & Bond went to Penn’a, a few weeks ago Bond was robbed in Harrisburg of his pocetbook it contained $150 & 200 in due bills, he borrowed money & turned right round & came home he said before he started that he was going after Mrs. De Witt

M M Culver

Dear Mary

As an opportunity may possibly offer to-day to send letters North, I haste to add some matters of business. There are some laths standing in the corner of our hen house. Please get some one to put them in the wood shed, else they will all be destroyed. See that all the doors are securely fastened of the house, &, if Foote did not put in those window glass, close up the place so that the snow & rain will not get in or it will destroy all the ceilings & paper. I have some fear of the kitchen sinking when the frost comes out of the ground. The foundation is very insecure. If some of our friends will give it a little attention in time, that part of the building can be saved. I had hoped to be able to have made it secure before this.¹

Ask Bro. Utley to get you the amount of tax due on the NW 1/4 of Block 74, Original town of Pontiac, also the amount of my personal tax now due.² Also in a memorandum book of mine marked “address of correspondents,” you will find a list of lands purchased by me and assigned to James Longdon, J. H. Case, & Charles Zug.³ I want a list of those tracts assigned to Charles Zug with the amount of tax due on them. They are all in town 30, Range 5, I think.

Tell me who the Town collector for the Town of Pontiac is, &, if the legislature postpones the time for the payment of taxes, I wish to know it immediately.⁴ Please see that all the gates around our lot are securely fastened & the fence in a good condition, a very little opening may cause us serious damage. You never gave me any account of our sweet potato crop. You know it was an experiment, & I should like to hear the result.⁵

Harrington wrote to me about some matters of business with Workman Hickman;⁶
I referred him to my letters in your possession. It occurs to me that I possibly copied my answers to Workman Hickman in my copying press. Please look in that, & if it throws any light on the matter, show it to him. I leave him to explain its nature. It is unaccountable to me. I was sure it was all settled & hardly think I am mistaken, yet I done a large amount of that business & there is a possibility of a mistake.

Look among all my papers & give him every information you can. I do not wish you to run the risk of contracting disease to accomplish it. He can wait until danger is over. It also occurs to me that the letter acknowledging the receipt of the certificates may be in the drawer containing my receipts among them. Please look there also. I am better today. The train is coming,

Good Bye
J. F. Culver

1. On Jan. 31 Mary Culver informed her husband that “every thing is right over at the house.” Her brother Sammy had attended to the laths and reported the kitchen secure, while Mr. Foote had put in the window glass before he moved to Wisconsin. Mary Culver to J.F.C., Jan. 31, 1863, Culver Collection.
2. The tax due on the NW 1/4 of Block 74 was $7.18, and Culver’s personal tax for 1862 was $1.66. Ibid.
3. It has been impossible to further identify James Longdon and Charles Zug. For further identification of J. H. Case, see letter of July 2, 1863.
4. Mary Culver wrote her husband on Feb. 1, 1863, that James G. Albe was the Pontiac tax collector, and the legislature had not changed the date for payment of taxes. Mary Culver to J.F.C., Feb. 1, 1863, Culver Collection.
5. The sweet potato crop had not thrived, most of the hills producing not more “than three or four potatoes.” Mary Culver to J.F.C., Jan. 31, 1863, Culver Collection.
6. It has been impossible to further identify Harrington and Workman Hickman. Mary Culver wrote her husband on Feb. 1, “I called on Harrington this p.m. but could give me no help, on the business. I have looked through your papers and can find but one letter from Hickman and that casts no light on the subject.” Mary Culver to J.F.C., Feb. 1, 1863, Culver Collection.

Mitchellsville, Tenn., Jan. 14th 63

Dear Wife

All well this morning. Loomis goes North by 10 o’clock train. It is raining but quite warm. I have not had opportunity to write more since my last.

Was at the Regt. yesterday & found all well. Lieut. Smith is better.

In haste,

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

My Dear Husband

Yours of Jan. 6th arrived today. You spoke of one written “yesterday” which I have not received but hope to soon I dont wonder you think this rather a one sided correspondence I think though you will have enough reading matter for one while if my letters reach you all together. I hope you will hear from us soon You are right in thinking that baby & I are well he still has a cough but I think we can break it up with some medicine we have prepared The health of the community is good the Small Pox is “no more” Those who have had it are almost without exception gaining rapidly. Here has been no deaths beside those I mentioned a few days ago There is nothing of special interest transpiring People are much disappointed in the result of the attempt to capture Vicksburg they look so anxiously for the opening of the Mississippi It seems to me the war is just begun nothing of interest from the Potomac.

Jan. 13th

I have just returned from town & concluded to finish your letter Babys cough is no better & at times he hoops it look something like the hooping cough but we hope it isnt I saw Sis today I am afraid she is not trying her best to do right The influences about her are very bad She will write to you by Maples I think. I saw him to day & he rather expects to start Monday Mrs. Remick gave baby a beautiful little cap it is very large for him & I will keep it till next summer

Jan. 15

I intended to write some last night dear Frank but felt very tired Baby is very troublesome & especially at night when he coughs a good deal I am kept awake so much. Jonnie leaves for Nashville tonight, he think he can get there some way, if possible will go by way of Bowling Green Oh, if he only could it would make me very happy If not he will mail this letter where you will be likely to get it If you see him & I think you will, he will give you all the news. I will simply say that all are well here thanks to a kind Providence, who has so wonderfully preserved us in the midst of danger. Augustus Croswell died last evening. If his constitution had been strong he would probably have recovered I have not learned the particulars of his death yet As far as I know all families who have friends in the 129th are well I hope ere this you have heard from some of us Just now Jonnie came in & tells me that he is not going tonight I will continue writing however until he does go Allie Babcock is about to die they do not think he can live through the night he has tumors on his body his Mother is also very ill of lung fever I read a letter tonight that Russel received from you he has not answered yet because communication has not been opened Have you been weighed lately? I would like to know if you have lost much. I had a talk with Charley McGregor this evening & learned a good deal of friends in Carlisle Did you know that sister Kate was at home Charley seemed to be in love with Penn’a life he says we will see bro. Charly there in a few years he is anxious to come now Dear Frank how I wish I could see you the desire of my heart is that you may be preserved in safety to return to us God grant it

Good night Accept much love from

your wife
Mary M. Culver

Mitchellsville, Tenn., January 12th 1863

My dear Wife

I was made most happy yesterday and to-day by the reception of all your letters, dating from the 10th to the 26th of Dec. I thank God that you have been spared. On Friday last, unable to bear suspense longer from the rumors in camp, I telegraphed to you asking you to answer for yourself & Mrs. Smith. I have as yet received no reply & presume the dispatch never reached you. I am informed this evening that Park Loomis starts for Pontiac to-morrow morning & will carry letters through.¹ I have been very busy until a late hour this evening, &, as I have one or two business letters to write yet, I shall be unable to write a full answer to all your letters.

I am happy to inform you that I am well & perhaps never enjoyed better health in my life than at present. Lieut. Smith has been ailing since yesterday with the diarrhea, but we hope he will be better to-morrow. In former letters I have told you of all who have died & seriously ill. As a general thing, we are improving in health. Capt. Hoskins is well, but in the large amt. of mail recd. the last two days, recd. no tidings from home. He feels disappointed, I know, for he has written very often.² I received yours of the 26th this evening with stamps & $5 enclosed.³

You only mention in your letters $2 sent. If you can make yourself comfortable without it, I am most happy to acknowledge its receipt, but you must not rob yourself for me. I can get a living without money, while it affords many comforts. You may be needy before I can assist you. We do not know when to look for pay & must make all our calculations accordingly.

The boots are high priced & I hope good. I do need them very much & almost wish I had not sent, as I could have bought a pair not so cheap but might have used them for some time. They will come good, however, in the muddy spring.⁴

We have had large accounts of the Small-Pox in Pontiac, and I hope it may soon subside. Fleming in his letter of Dec. 25th writes quite encouragingly, & I hope it may be so. The most important & sure preventative is dieting. Use as little salt as possible & no strong meats, could salt be wholly extracted from the system, there would be no marks left. I have had considerable experience & with equal chances would as soon risk the Small-Pox as the measles. There is no danger if care is taken. I have had varioloid several years ago & with the above precaution suffered but a short time.⁵ The same teas &c. that drive out measles will apply with the same effect in Small-Pox. But do not expose yourself. Keep out of Town if possible, & may God preserve you & baby from its deleterious effects.

I recd. a letter from Bros. Johny and Leander.⁶ I should like to answer both to-night but shall not be able. I will do by mail very soon. I presume from the tenor of Bro. Johny’s letter he has joined the Battery ere this. I shall feel grateful for the oysters when they arrive.

We had the honor of a visit today from Col. Smith & wife, Adgt. Plattenburg, Dr. Johns, Capt. Martin, & Lieut. Gilchrist, & had a very pleasant time.⁷ We were fortunate enough this morning to trade an old axe we had for some eggs, or we would have had a very slim dinner.

You inquire if Bro. Gaff is discharged; he is not. His health is very good, & I understand has been promoted to sergeant. Bro. Lee has not been discharged; I wish he was.⁸ I fear he will never be quite well. His back has failed him, & he looks quite bad; yet he has great courage & will not complain.

I am not prepared to-night & have not the time to answer your fair proposition with regard to Methodism, but, as you have opened up the way, I will consider myself invited to give my opinion. To say that you need my forgiveness for any act or remark is scarcely fair. I have no recollection of any “unkind words” & certainly never felt that you were in any way erring by clinging to the denomination of your choice. I am not a respector of denominations, &, while I feel more at home in a Methodist Church, God forbid that I should [word omitted] souls for personal prejudice. To say that I should be happy to have you think & feel as I do would not be sufficiently expressed, & I dare not flatter myself that it is wholly so. I would not have you for a moment espouse a doctrine unless you fully endorsed it, but I shall write at length of this shortly. May God abundantly bless and help you in investigating this matter.⁹

Your letters of 12th gave me much pleasure. I feared that in a careful retrospect of the past, you might long for those pleasant hours of earlier years. If you have been this happy I can scarcely fear aught for the future, for certainly the past year has been rather inauspicious. May God grant us a glorious future.

I shall feel more confident of the prosperity of the S. School with its present corps of officers, without a desire to applaud & do feel unbounded faith in your success if enlisted in the cause. May God help & bless all your efforts. And now, Dear Wife, I have written at far greater length than I intended, but your letters will afford opportunity for several letters. You can use your own judgment about renting the house. I am not at liberty to say anything about “Fisher of Reeds Company.” Please not talk of it to any one.

Give my love to all. Kiss baby for me. I am glad he is so much comfort to me [you?]. Did Mother [Murphy] ever receive my answer to her letter? Remember me kindly to all our friends. I hope you will write each day as you have done. It gives me much pleasure, and now committing all I love most to the kind care of our Heavenly Father, invoking his blessings to rest upon you, I remain as ever,

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

P.S. Mrs. Blackburn has her babe here. Her & Mrs. Fitch both long for an opportunity to get home. They are well.

J.F.C.

1. Park Loomis was a 26-year-old Reading clerk and had been employed by the regimental sutler Gagan as his clerk. On Jan. 13, 1863, Loomis was convicted of vending spiritous liquors to the men of the 129th Illinois and was expelled from camp. Loomis, on Feb. 11, formally apologized to Colonel Smith for his misconduct, and the colonel revoked the expulsion order and permitted him to return to and remain in camp, subject to all military rules and regulations. SO 16, Jan. 16, 1863, Regimental Papers, 129th Illinois, NA.
2. Earlier Mrs. Hoskins had complained to Mary Culver that her husband wrote infrequently.
3. Mary Culver’s letter of Dec. 26 is missing from the Culver Collection. On the 27th she wrote, “In my letter of yesterday, I enclosed one dollar’s worth of Postage stamps and a five dollar bill.” Mary Culver to J.F.C., Dec. 27, 1862, Culver Collection.
4. As the local bootmaker had declared that he could not make the boots in less than two weeks, Mary Culver had ordered them from Chicago. Mary Culver to J.F.C., Dec. 3, 1862, Culver Collection.
5. Varioloid is a mild form of small pox. Among Civil War soldiers, especially those from rural areas, measles had a high mortality rate.
6. Johnny Murphy, a sergeant in Company M, 1st Illinois Light Artillery, was Mrs. Culver’s brother, while Leander Utley was married to her sister Margaret.
7. Henry C. Johns, a 43-year-old physician, was commissioned surgeon of the 129th Illinois on Nov. 18, 1862, and ordered to report to the regiment. Having been found incompetent by a medical board on Dec. 18, 1863, Surgeon Johns resigned his commission on Jan. 19, 1864. George W. Gilchrist, a 37-year-old Dwight farmer, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as 1st lieutenant of Company B, 129th Illinois Infantry. On April 29, 1864, Gilchrist was detailed to the Pioneer Brigade, and on Aug. 3, 1864, he was placed in charge of the Third Division Pioneers, XX Army Corps. Lieutenant Gilchrist, on April 24, 1865, was detailed as an aide-de-camp at headquarters, 1st Brigade, Third Division. He was mustered out on June 8, 1865, at Washington, D.C. George W. Martin, a 35-year-old Winchester farmer, was mustered into service Sept. 8, 1862, as captain of Company H, 129th Illinois Infantry. Captain Martin resigned Sept. 13, 1864, because of disabilities brought on by a severe attack of typhoid fever. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA.
8. John S. Lee, a 36-year-old blacksmith, was mustered into service Sept. 8, 1862, as a private in Company G, 129th Illinois Infantry. Private Lee was severely wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Peachtree Creek, July 20, 1864, and on his recovery, on Jan. 1, 1865, he was assigned to duty as a blacksmith in the ambulance corps, Third Division, XX Corps. He was mustered out at Washington, D.C, June 8, 1865. Ibid.
9. Mary Culver had been raised a Presbyterian. The letter in which she raised the question regarding Methodism has been lost.